Recap: Garcia secures 4-1 win for Team Rhodes

ROSEMONT, Ill. — After a dominating performance during the AUX Softball season earlier this summer, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that pitcher Rachel Garcia’s efforts have continued into the first week of the 2023 Athletes Unlimited Softball Championship Season.

The former UCLA hurler was at her best again on Monday, leading Team Rhodes to a 4-1 victory over Team Mulipola to close out the opening week of the campaign at Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

Garcia, who earned MVP 1 honors for her efforts, went 2-for-2 at the plate with a home run and a double while driving in two runs. In the circle, she was just as solid after giving up one run on three hits over 5.0 innings to collect her first win of the campaign. Garcia closed out play with 290 leaderboard points.

Middle infielder Sydney Romero garnered MVP 2 distinction after driving in a run with a single in the fourth inning to finish with 160 leaderboard points. Catcher Taylor Edwards completed the MVP trio with a 2-for-3 performance, including a single and a double, to record 160 leaderboard points.

Pitcher Sydney Littlejohn Watkins nailed down her first save of the season after pitching the final two frames and not allowing a hit.

Three different players registered a hit in the loss for Team Mulipola. Carrie Eberle (0-1) took the loss after conceding two runs on six hits over four innings with one strikeout.